What is the best utility software for free?

Hi I am running a few registry cleaners and defragerss and optimizer combos, I cant remember the names right now.. I was wondering what the best free one there is...I need the space on my HD and having too many utility programs get confusing....

Also I want to find out what sevices to disable in my startup...I am running too many and it is slowing me down alot...

I am running a Laptop 2gb Ram Wireless intenet connection...Wireless DSL Modem up to 20mb/s I got a printer/scanner.. webcam, keyboard and mouse, also I have my cell phone driver to sync music and other files...

I run Firefox as my browser, and IE sometimes.. and Chrome....

My Startup time is 243sec..I want to clock it as best as it goes

Windows Vista Home Basic Latest Updates are loaded....Defragged in CMD prompt and Disk checked and fixed..

I know its a long message, but I want to make sure you have as much detail as possible...

Thank you

Welcome
Im glad that you came to us. The short version is that most maintenance software will cause more problems than worth with Vista. Vista does not need much to work properly and too much will slow up and possibly even damage the registry.
Follow these quick to have a great running system.
This is for Visat, too
To maintain your computer

10 Tips on How to Properly Maintain Your Computer

Steps that I did not notice on the guide include:

Running a scan disc before doing a defrag

Using Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes.

Making System Restore points, at least once a week

Makaing a system Image once a month (varies by user)

Not relying on your A/V common sense, should prevail. You know of many sites can cause a problem.

Do not use any reg cleaning or optimizing software.

Download and use Ccleaner about once every two months. Untick any registry entries.
http://www.piriform.com/

If you follow these instructions, you will be trouble free for a long time to come.

Be sure to back up your hard drive about once a month (varies by user) and to keeep system restore points up to date.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/81176-speed-up-performance-vista.html

If you have additional questions, just post.
We will be here for help even after you follow the instructions given.

If you want to know what is at startup try winpatrol, its awesome.

Press Windows key and R Type msconfig and press enter.
Click services, hide all microsoft services, and now what is left?

Here is what is Left....
Advanced System Care Service IObitware
Agere Modem call progress Agere systems
Aplication updater spigot inc edata security service HTRSUT
enet service Acer
erecovery service ACER
esettings service Unknown
IMF SERVICE IObit
Logitech Bluetooth Svce Logitech Disabled
process monitor Logitech
mobility service Unknown
Norton Antivirus Norton
NNsvc Netnanny
SBSD security center supportsoft
supportsoft sprocket
supportsoft remoteassist
Supportsoft repair soft
epower service acer
Xaudiioservice conextant

OK I see some that I can get rid of.... I didnt realise how much junk I had...TY for openinf my eyes more to what junk I got... Now to disable and remove what is not needed and wanted... I need proper steps to disabling and deleting permanantly....

Please Help

Thank You Very Much

I think that the best approach is to follow the maintenance schedule, ask questions to keep the computer running like a top

The easy way to disable is to follow the clean boot. This will not be for a test, howver, but just to disable
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7
Follow the maintenance information given above.

TomSawyer1977 said:

Here is what is Left....
Advanced System Care Service IObitware
Agere Modem call progress Agere systems
Aplication updater spigot inc edata security service HTRSUT
enet service Acer
erecovery service ACER
esettings service Unknown
IMF SERVICE IObit
Logitech Bluetooth Svce Logitech Disabled
process monitor Logitech
mobility service Unknown
Norton Antivirus Norton
NNsvc Netnanny
SBSD security center supportsoft
supportsoft sprocket
supportsoft remoteassist
Supportsoft repair soft
epower service acer
Xaudiioservice conextant

OK I see some that I can get rid of.... I didnt realise how much junk I had...TY for openinf my eyes more to what junk I got... Now to disable and remove what is not needed and wanted... I need proper steps to disabling and deleting permanantly....

Please Help

Thank You Very Much

Click to expand...

Go to start search Type Services.msc press enter
Scroll to the item you want to turn off and highlight it and right click.Go to properties, startup and set to manual.
Most of what you have left can be turned off this way

This Tutorial from Brink will help.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/81176-speed-up-performance-vista.html

I want to know what services are safe to disable and what are ok to manual mode, and what to keep.. I know in msconfig I need to disable most of my services, but I am not sure which ones from acer and microsoft.

msconfig is only for testing you should use Services.msc
Black viper has a good list of safe settings to use get them here.

Black Viper’s Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Service Configurations | Black Viper's Website | www.blackviper.com

All the services except the Norton that you listed can be set to manual start.

EDIT:Here are Blackviper's start up settings.

I managed to shave at least 140sec off my reboot time.... It booted up at 105 sec... I hope it can do better... I got that timer that sidney1st had put up...It really opened my eyes and thought wow, My computer is running like caca lol

Just downloaded the zip file from ilike free and now im going to test it..... BRB in a little bit

105 is still pretty good mine is not much better.

it went back up to 131, but i think that is because it was initialising the file you gave me..

I have smart defrag on the menu in the lowwer right corner of the bar..I forgot the name of that section...(is that bad of me????)over 20 years of computers and I forgot that little menu......

I took off malwarebytes and other registry booster and optimizers...I have only got Windows Defender and Norton Online Antivirus(free with internet service) and I am going to set back up my windows security suite whatever it is called....

I know I been asking alot latley, but my computer is recovering from a a major malfunction a couple of months ago when I had to reimage my hard drive and lost all my music.....

Ok I will go to blackvipers webpage again and print out the service page so i can tweak it quicker than clicking back and forth screens all night lol....Sorry for the long message....It is how I get...LOL

Blackviper has tweaked,safe and default the files I sent you were his safe.
Another link worth bookmarking that all users of this forum should have is,

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/139940-tutorial-index.html